Spirit of solidarity and cooperation

Aidan Cronin, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, greets Khaleej Times readers on Ireland's National Day

I am pleased to have this opportunity of extending greetings to the readers of Khaleej Times on the occasion of Ireland's National Day (St. Patrick's Day). I want particularly to extend best wishes to the large Irish community here in the UAE and indeed to all of those who may have visited or have an interest in Ireland.
On March 17 each year, 70 million members of the global Irish family gather together, along with millions of others, to celebrate their Irish heritage at St. Patrick's Day parades and other events taking place all over the world.
It is normally a time for celebration but this year, unfortunately, a cloud hangs over us all and those celebrations have been put on hold. Today, as the world faces the global spread of the Covid-19 virus, we are called on, more than ever before, to follow the values embodied in the story of St. Patrick and his legacy of human solidarity and concern for the well-being of our fellow citizens. These values will be essential to all of us, in Ireland, the UAE and elsewhere, playing our part in effectively confronting this global public health emergency.
The Covid-19 emergency is a worrying time for us all and addressing the many challenges it poses calls on our shared traditions of communities coming together in times of crisis. If there is one positive to be drawn from these events, it is that they have stimulated a spirit of generosity and fellow-feeling all over the world, with people reaching out to each other, coming together to look after the most vulnerable in their communities.
I want to pay special tribute to the front-line medical and support staff in Ireland, the UAE and all over the world for their heroic work in fighting this epidemic and to assure the authorities here in the UAE of our support and cooperation over the coming days and weeks. As members of the global community, it is imperative that we work together in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation, joining citizens across the world in fighting this global health emergency.
On behalf of the government and the people of Ireland, I wish you all a healthy and peaceful St. Patrick's Day.
Beir beannacht.
Aidan Cronin
Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE

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